What makes a piece of art or an antique special?
It may be a unique feature, great find or a fond memory, but it’s all in the eye of the beholder. Art & Antiques Show supporters share the stories behind beloved pieces in their collection in the blog series titled, Favorite Things.
Tell us about your favorite thing by emailing your story with the subject line “A&AS Blog Favorite Thing” to womensboardwch@bmcjax.com.
image credits: majolica fish, painting, map, napkin rings, majolica tray
The Young Collector’s Booth features great, affordable finds perfect for a young collector. Stop by to join in a tour of the show with William Nash and Jennie Hugo (Saturday at noon and four) or to find the perfect piece for your collection. Continue reading
Well, we’re at it again. This time Juli and I are back from Blenheim and moving a bit closer to home. Come join us Friday, Dec. 5 at 11:30am as we take on “Southern Antiques Redefined….Our Modern Twist on Southern Traditions.” Continue reading
Design inspiration often comes from travel. Not only does it come from your own personal travel, but it can come from the travel of loved ones.
I have two very special friends who often times find very special treasures and gifts to give me as presents. These two friends I met 6 years ago in Madrid. We were all living there and studying, and we became travel buddies.
Over the past 6 years we have visited more than 5 countries together and we frequently take trips together here in the United States. In the past year alone, we have spent time together in Croatia and Italy, and in Chicago, NYC, and Washington D.C.
I recently reunited with my travel buddies in Philadelphia. One of the travel buddies just started the MBA program at The Wharton School, and this summer, before starting school, she worked in Hong Kong.
Below are some images of the gifts she purchased for me in various places in Asia during her time working in Hong Kong.
One of these items is a coconut shell bowl from Cambodia. You would never guess it was a coconut, unless you picked it up and looked at the bottom.
It really is a coconut…see here the bottom:
My other favorite item given to me by my travel buddy from her Asian Adventure is a notebook that was handmade in China. It is from a Hutong in Beijing.
It now graces my desk at work:
Do you have a Favorite Thing from your travels? Tell us about it on twitter at @WomensBoard2014
Allison Dewan is a blogger for the Art and Antique Show as part of the Women’s Board Social Media Committee. She is an avid traveler who loves exploring new areas and discovering the local cultures of her travel destinations. She blames this wanderlust on her international affairs degree from GWU in Washington D.C.
Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6
Though not the first thing you might consider when making purchases for your home, a good tray is a must. Versatile enough to be worth a little investment, a tray can set the tone for a centerpiece, provide a “drop spot” for keys and mail, corral TV remotes and magazines on your coffee table, or make breakfast in bed a workable and pleasant affair. Here are a few of our favorites & finds, but you can be sure we’ll have our eyes out for some other beauties at this year’s show.
Annie Bryan lives in Jacksonville with her husband, Josh. She is a member of the Art & Antiques Show Social Media Committee, and she is the blogger behind the life + style blog Ann Elliott (currently on hiatus). Annie works for a start-up toy company, HeroMe, where she leads marketing and external relations in addition to serving as general counsel.
With the holidays approaching, and being the token male on this blog, I thought it timely to suggest 10 gift ideas for men that can be found at this year’s Art and Antiques Show. As much as your husband probably loved the Louis XV chandelier that you and your decorator picked up last month in Atlanta….you know, the expensive one you gave him for his birthday….some of these pieces might be a little more up his alley this Christmas.
1. Dogs
You can’t go wrong with man’s best friend. If the man in your life has a special dog in his life, why not find items that remind him of his favorite canine, or can serve as a reminder of a childhood pet? My wife, mother, and mother-in-law have added greatly to my dog collection over the years and I always love receiving a new addition to that collection. Here’s a lovely patinated bronze piece from the late 19th century.
Here’s a set of twelve Wedgwood plates from the 1940’s.
Here’s a rare Italian bronze from the Napoleon III period.
These are some of my favorites from my collection.
1. An early 20th century, carved Golden Retriever, given to me on my seventh birthday to accompany a real Golden Retriever puppy. This piece will always remind me of my parent’s generosity and our family pet. 2. A Royal Dux porcelain retriever from Czechoslovakia, circa 1940. 3. A Baccarat Lab. 4. A needlepoint Chocolate Lab pillow. 5. A collection of Spode’s Woodland dog plates (I fell in love with these a few summers ago when I saw them in every designer showroom and antique store in Cashiers, NC). 6. A Bernese Mountain Dog print, circa 1925 (It’s one thing to collect labs and retrievers, but finding an antique Bernese Mountain Dog anything is pretty near impossible. So when I found a dealer that had a collection of National Geographic dog prints from the 20’s, I quickly grabbed this one). 7. Last, but not least, these contemporary, English salt and pepper shakers reminded me of Lord Grantham’s faithful pup in Downton.
2. Shaving Mirrors
Okay, so he probably won’t use this to shave in, but they can serve a number of other functions and add so much character to a room. I have mine on my dresser and the drawers make a great place to store all your “junk”.….receipts, change, etc. My shaving mirror was also on my wife’s dresser for a time and she draped necklaces over the top of the mirror and stored make-up in the drawers. Here is a lovely, diminutive, English mahogany shaving mirror from the 19th century.
And a very fine Irish one, circa 1840.
3. The Biscuit Barrel
Elegant timepieces of a bygone era, these little gems emerged in Great Britain around 1860 and were popular through the 1930’s. Ranging from sterling silver to the more rustic oak and brass like those pictured below, biscuit barrels were used at tea time to store biscuits.
Okay, so maybe don’t get him a pink one, but you get the idea.
To be honest, I keep picture hanging hooks and screws in mine. We are constantly hanging things in this house and I got tired of going to my tool box all the time. Now most of what I need is easily accessible and hidden right in the living room.
4. The Tea Caddy
These guys don’t need much of an introduction. Once used to store tea, these timeless classics make a great place for a guy to keep his personal items. You can throw your wallet, phone, and keys in here right before a dinner party or keep on your desk for important receipts and correspondence.
5. The Decanter
If your man likes to come home and fix his nightly cocktail like I do, this piece will save him a lot of time and add some class to his bar. For those of a more modern bent, check out this sleek Deco style decanter, circa. 1913.
For those a little more old-school, take a look at this Anglo-Irish Edwardian magnum, circa 1900.
You can never have too many decanters…..a much more tasteful way to serve liquor and wine, especially around the holidays.
6. Tortoise Shell Boxes
Men’s dressers get messy. This ingenious little box is a great place to throw loose change. They are also invaluable in storing those bothersome little pins you get from various civic and fraternal organizations…..the ones you will never wear, but feel bad throwing out. A quintessential object for the gentleman of the 19th century, as well as of the 21st.
7. The Barley Twist Candlestick
I guess it’s the Englishman in me, but I love these so much that I bought a pair for myself, wrapped them up, and gave them to my wife for Christmas last year. The form is so masculine and heavy, yet intricate and airy. These versatile little guys can fade into the background of any room or make a bold statement.
They even make for a captivating table setting.
8. The Box on Stand
Many times 19th century lap desks, campaign chests, and humidors have been put on stands to make excellent side tables. These pieces are invaluable to those design conundrums where you need a place to set a drink or give balance to room, but have very little space. This is the perfect gift to accompany a guy’s favorite leather chair…..just big enough for a scotch and his favorite book or magazine.
9. Antlers
Believe it or not, ladies, you will love these, too. They finish off a room so well and are what I want for Christmas (a half dozen, please, Mrs. Nash).
10. Dead Things
Properly referred to as Game Paintings, my wife calls this type of art “dead things”. These still life paintings of killed and prized game were particularly popular in the 1800s.
I absolutely love this signed, 19th century watercolor that I found for under $100. My wife almost relegated it to the mancave, but I made a good sale and got to put it in the kitchen (well, close to the mudroom).
Whether it’s for a husband, boyfriend, brother, son, son-in-law, or grandson, why not consider some “man-tiques” this year? These timeless pieces will add class and character to any home.
“Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.” – Amy Lowell
Many art and antique pieces found in homes are those treasures that have been passed down from generations. Although these keepsakes and relics may not be worth much to an appraiser, they can carry meaning and historical value in a family.
In this post, Ortega resident and Designer, April Young shares her inherited fingerpaintings and why they are some of her Favorite Things.
Description of memorable piece in your art collection:
Two fingerpaintings of underwater sea life, painted in early to mid-twentieth century.
Share any background information that you may have on this item.
My Great-Grandmother, Nellie Quick, was originally from Laurinburg, NC but later moved to West Palm Beach, FL in her adult life. Nellie was a self-taught artist who created an art studio in her home in Florida. There she fingerpainted using different parts and components of her hands including her nails and knuckles for detailing her favorite subjects; which included landscapes, gardens and sea life.
Underwater Life #1
It has been said that one can decipher what kind of mood Nellie was in by her pieces. Some of her finger paintings are playful and whimsical; like in the pieces that I inherited of fish, turtles and frogs that seem to frolic and dance within their underwater habitats. In her other works are dark hues of purples, blues and blacks which lack much color in the subject of trees and gloomy flowers; perhaps painted in her not so good days.
Underwater life #2
Nellie wanted to share her talent with others, so she later taught fingerpainting lessons in West Palm Beach.
If I could guess, just like many of artists, she never would have guessed that her artwork would be hanging in so many homes scattered around the country.
When did you acquire these pieces?
After my grandparents died, we were cleaning out their house in Richmond, VA, and we discovered my great-grandmother’s paintings in a book that had been stowed away for decades. My parents later had several of them professionally framed and gave them as Christmas presents to each of my siblings and myself in 2010.
How have you used or displayed these pieces?
I keep one in my son’s room and the other in my daughter’s room, although I am known to move things around a lot in my home.
Why is this piece special to you?
I never met my Great-Grandmother Nellie, but I am told she was a sweet, loving and nurturing lady who raised three girls, including my grandmother, Gracie. She passed down several characteristics of her own personality, including the passion for cooking, hospitality and creativity. Her childlike expression of art is now a staple in my home and I hope will remain in my family for many generations.
Nellie Quick with her three daughters.
Please share your involvement with or connection to the Women’s Board at Wolfson Children’s Hospital?
This is my third year volunteering with the Art & Antique Show. I serve on the Young Collector’s Booth committee and assist in writing for the group.
What are you looking foward to most about the 2013 Art & Antique Show?
I am really looking forward to our guest speakers this year, especially James Farmer who will hopefully have a special presence at the Young Collector’s Booth. I also am very excited to see what the dealers bring and offer to young audiences who are just starting to collect.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with us about yourself or your collection?
As a designer and collector, I am inspired by the history of objects of art, furnishings, and decorative items that can add to or enhance an interior. Each one-of-a-kind object should tell a story and create a dialogue between its space and those who are inhabiting that space in a moment. I like to tell clients to hold out for that special item that really will make an impact in their environment and hold more meaning in the long term. The Art & Antique show is a great place to find those items!
There’s a story behind every piece of artwork or antique. The “stories” are often as intriguing as the beauty and the craftsmanship of the items themselves.
We’ve asked community members and Art & Antiques Show supporters to share with us the story behind a memorable piece in their collection.
In this post, Avondale resident Heather Houston tells us why her Alligator Handbag is one of her Favorite Things.
Describe the memorable piece in your collection?
A vintage, genuine alligator handbag. The handbag is black with a metal clasp.
1950’s Alligator Handbag
Share any background information that you may have on this item.
To learn more about this handbag, I spoke with the original owner, Berrilyn Houston.
In 1950, Berrilyn purchased the handbag at Purcell’s Clothing Store for Women. Purcell’s, which was located in downtown Jacksonville, was her favorite place to shop. Berrilyn estimates that the handbag ranged from $50-$60, but she is certain that she used her mother’s charge account to make the purchase.
Here are some photos of the department store:
Jacksonville, Florida
Photo Credit:State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Photographer: Jack (John Gordon), Spotswood Studio
April 20, 1953
Photo Credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory; Photographer: Robert E. Fisher
When did you purchase or acquire this piece?
The alligator handbag was a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law Carolyn Houston.
How have you used or displayed this piece?
I enjoy pairing this bag with a sophisticated little black dress and heels for cocktail parties and similar occasions.
Why is this piece special to you?
This piece is special because it was gift that had been passed down from mother-in-law to daughter-in-law for two generations. Berrilyn Houston gave this handbag to Carolyn who gave it to me. It was the first Christmas that I was married to my husband, making this memory extra special. I received this handbag, which I now consider an heirloom, and a homemade cookbook full of family recipes – it’s a good thing that handbags are one-size-fits-all.
Please share your involvement with or connection to the Women’s Board at Wolfson Children’s Hospital?
This is my first year volunteering with the Art & Antiques Show. I serve on the Young Collectors Party committee and I am working with a great team of authors to launch the Art & Antiques Show’s first blog.
What are you looking forward to most about the 2013 Art & Antiques Show?
I am looking forward to gathering ideas for decorating our first home and hopefully a little shopping.
Interested in sharing a favorite piece in your collection?
To learn more and submit your Favorite Things,
please email womensboardwch@bmcjax.com.
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